TIM DREW: Beware of emails containing malware

Tim Drew, secretary of Worthing Neighbourhood Watch

Acton Fraud has issued a reminder to be aware of emails that appear to have been sent from a legitimate organisation.

Fraudsters often use fake email addresses designed to encourage recipients to open attachments or links.

You are advised not to open an email if you are in any doubt as to its origins.

Instead, delete it from your email system to avoid infecting your device.

Such emails often come with attachments containing malware so the advice from Action Fraud is that you get your device checked over by a professional and change the passwords for all your bank, email and online shopping accounts, should you have opened such an attachment.

In summary, protect yourself as follows:

• Do not click or open unfamiliar links in emails or on websites.

• Make sure you install and use up-to-date anti-virus software.

• Have a pop-up blocker running in the background of your web browser.

• If you have opened an attachment and ‘enabled macros’ it is very likely that all your personal data will have been breached. You must change all your passwords for personal accounts, including your bank accounts.

• Ensure that Adobe, Flash and any similar software is up to date on your computer.

If you think you have been a victim of this type of email you should report the email to Action Fraud.

If you do make a report, please provide as much detail as you can about the email and any effects it has had on your computer.

Additionally if your anti-virus software detects any issues in relation to this email, please provide Action Fraud with the details.

Details of Neighbourhood Panel meetings are no longer being provided on the Sussex Police website as these will no longer be police-led, but I have contacted the chairs of the panels and hope to be able to continue to publish the meetings in this column.

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